Dual cross communion set



1944- D. G UDREAQ 2,355,154

DUAL CROSS COMMUNION SET Original Fi led Aug. 25. 1940 Patented Aug. 8, 1944 DUAL CROSS COIMM'UNION SET Dclphus Goudreau, Northbridge, Mass.

Original application Au 353,980. Divided an gust 23, 1940, Serial N0. (1 this application her 8, 1941, Serial No. 422,119

Decem- 1 Claim. (01. 41 35) This invention comprises a dual cross communion set or sick call set having two crosses or crucifixes. When the set is not in use, one cross is laid or superimposed on top of the other cross and is held in that position by certain devices hereinafter described. The top cross which is superimposed on the bottom or base cross is slightly smaller in dimensions than the base cross. The upper surface of the base cross has the following features: The lower trunk contains an open vault or recess into which is placed two small candles containing 51% beeswax, one bottle of holy water and a napkin. The arms of the base cross contain three holes lined with metal, one on the end of each arm into which the candles are inserted in an erect position when the set is being used. The third hole is located equidistant from the ends of the arms of the cross. It is also lined with metal, and consists of the matrix of a device or a socket into which a metal snap, attached to the back or undersurface of the top cross, fits when the top cross is laid or superimposed on the base cross. None of the aforementioned features is new.

When the set is in use, the top cross is detached from the base cross upon which it has been lying flat. This top cross is then set up in an erect or vertical position on the top surface of the trunk of the base cross near its head, being held in place by a cylindrically shaped metal stud or pin which is partially imbedded in the upper surface of the trunk of the base cross near its head. This stud or pin extends approximately 4" in height above the surface of the base cross. The stud or pin fits snugly into a metal lined round hole located at the base of the top cross. This holds the top cross in an upright and vertical position with relation to the base cross. This arrangement, which is claimed as new or novel, permits the top cross, when in this vertical position and when thus attached, to be rotated in a circle of 360. This rotating feature is also regarded as a new improvement.

When the set is not in use the top cross lies flat on the base cross and is held in place by means of the metal snap being inserted at the socket above referred to in combination with the stud or pin which fits into a small groove or recess cut into the bottom surface of the upper part or head of the trunk of the top cross, thus covering the vault or recess in the upper surface of the base cross which contains the candles, the bottle and the napkin when the set is not in use. The metal snap above referred to which fits into the socket beforementioned is located on the bottom surface of the top cross equidistant between the ends of the arms of the top; cross which position corresponds with that of the socket on the base cross.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of grooves extending throughout the forward face of the top cross. These grooves are executed at each side for the reception of flat strips of decorative material such as mother-ofpearl, so that the decorative material will be held to the cross without the necessity of using adhesives which are liable to peel off and thus destroy the appearance of the cross. The top cross trunk is decorated in a like manner except for the fact thatthe decorative strips in this case are interrupted by the cross arm strips. Also certain of the strips are mechanically attached to the cross by fasteners securing the figure ofv the Christ and other parts to the cross.

Objects of the invention include the provision of structures conforming to and carrying out the features above named. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. This case is a divisional application of Serial No. 353,980, filed August 23, 1940.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the two crosses secured in flat parallel relation with part of the top cross broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the base cross part being in section;

Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation of the top cross and showing the figure of Christ secured thereto;

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the combined crosses without the figure;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the crosses showing the top cross in upright position on the base cross;

Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of the base cross with part broken away;

Fig. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the top cross with parts broken away and looking in the direction of arrow 1 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral l indicates the trunk of the lower or base cross which has a cross arm 2. The trunk is provided with a, vault 3 for the reception of the candles, etc. At the center of the intersection of the trunk and the cross arm there is a socket in the upper or forward surface of the base cross, the socket having a metal holder 4 in the form of a cup and shaped to retain a snap ring 5 below the surface of the base cross. A pin Bis fixed in the lower end of the trunk and a split pin 1 isthe candle holders 8 when the top cross is super I imposed on the base cross, to form a unitary set as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Centrally of the intersection of the trunk I and arm ll, there is a rearwardly extending snap stud, I2 for retention by the snap ring to secure the crosses together.

A short groove I3 is formed in the rear surface and at the top end of the trunk In, this groove extending to the end of the trunk, and another short groove I4 is provided adjacent but stopping short of the lower end of the trunk. These grooves are parallel to the length of the trunk and are aligned axially to act as guiding means for the pins 6, I, it being clear that the trunk may be grasped by hand and pin 1 located by groove l3 to quickly and easily position the top cross with relation to the base cross preparatory to securing them by stud I 2 and snap ring 4. There is also a bore l5 having a metal cup liner in the lower end of trunk Ill for reception ofsplit pin 1 when the top cross is to be mounted on the base cross as shown in Fig. 5. 'Ihesplit pin provides a resilient supporting means to frictionally engage the cup'liner,'thus tendin to maintain the top cross in whatever angular position it is placed for the convenience and use of the invalid or other person, It is to be noted that the top cross mounting the figure of Christ may be rotated through an angle of 360 for this purpose.

Fig. 8 shows a cross section of the top cross arm wherein a pair of narrow grooves l6 run the length of the arm, these grooves being undercut at each side at their bottoms as at I! for the purpose of retaining narrow strips of decorative material such as mother-of-pearl without the necessity for using any adhesive. A central relatively wider groove I8 is also provided for the strip I9, it being understood that any desired configuration of the decorative material may be provided for by appropriate variations in the design without departing from the spirit of the invention. The top cross trunk is decorated in like 6 manner except that decorative strips 20 are interrupted by the arm strips, all the groovesand strips being in the same plane.

Each wide strip is further secured to the top cross by fasteners 2| which hold the seal 22 and the figure of Christ to the top cross, so that the strips 20 each have a single fastener and strip l8 has two, as shown. It is clear that this construction provides an extremely simple and inexpensive decorative assembly which is yet long lasting and attractive, and is not subject to peeling action as in the case of adhesive-secured decorations.

It will be seen from the above description that a new and improved device of the class referred to has been provided, and there is no necessity for fitting the top cross on a recess in the base cross and consequent liability of poor fit, due to warp ing of the parts. The pins 6, 1, act to guide the parts to secured position and the pin I has the double function of providing a rotary supporting journal for the top cross in its upright position on the base cross.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claim, but what I claim is:

A cross structure comprising a trunk member and a cross arm member, each member having corresponding front faces, the front faces of the members having spaced raised shoulders thereon and opposed grooves in said shoulders to define recessed areas in the members, the shoulders on one member extending throughout the length thereof to define a continuous recessed area and intersecting the recessed area of the other member, whereby said other member at its face is divided into two separated recessed areas, and ornamental strips slidably mounted in the opposed grooves of each member, one Of said strips extending throughout the length of said continuous recessed area and transversely of the separated recessed areas.

DELPHUS GOUDREAU. 

